Professional Organizing is a relatively new (and amazing) service; many folks don't completely understand what we do. I find that when someone asks what I do for a living, I'll tell them I'm a professional organizer, and I'll get a lot of blank stares or “What does that mean?" lines of questioning. But the good news is that I love to explain my services to those curious, and maybe if you're reading this post, it's you! FAQ #1: Will I have to get rid of most of my things? Decluttering, or letting go of items that no longer serve you, is a hugely important part of the organizing process. I truly believe you cannot organize clutter; any new system will not last until you pare down to the essentials. That said, every client will have a different level of decluttering depending on their space and needs. I won't make you get rid of everything, but I will coach you through some pivotal decisions along the way. FAQ #2: How much do professional organizers charge for their services? Currently, my rates are $100 per hour for the first organizer (me!) and $75 per hour for each additional organizer. This is absolutely a luxury, custom service for clients who want to get organized without having to do the actual work of the process. My past clients will tell you it's worth every penny. Learn more about my service here. FAQ #3: How long does a project take? Project length depends on several factors, including the space size, how much stuff you have inside the space, and your goal for the space. For example, an entire kitchen typically takes us 18 labor hours at a minimum. A smaller closet may take just 4 hours. This is why the in-home consultation process is so important: so that I can provide you with a custom quote for my labor time on a project. FAQ #4: How does the process work from start to finish?
Lucky for you, I created a highly detailed document about my process. By signing up for my monthly newsletter, you'll receive this freebie PDF file highlighting any questions about my process. See the button at the top of this website for details! If you want to discuss your home's organization, we would love to help! Reach out, and let's get to know each other. Until next time, Julia
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It's our first 'fake' spring in Milwaukee, which means the weather is nice right now, and you might be getting the itch to upgrade your house. Maybe that means you are exploring options for building an addition onto your beloved but too small house, or maybe that means you're ready to list your current home and find a bigger/better one. The first step I always recommend before packing for a big move, or beginning a renovation, is decluttering. Here's MY simple guide to decluttering that lasts… The Challenge of Decluttering Most people cannot declutter their entire home without calling in the professionals for help. I find that many of my clients feel extremely overwhelmed when they consider this process of letting go. Even if they are well aware that they have too much stuff, it's still really challenging to sort through their belongings and decide what's coming along in the next chapter. If this sounds familiar, you are in luck: I have a big tip that will help! Decluttering that Lasts What's the best way to declutter your home with confidence and success? Stay true to your goal. If you want to live a simpler life full of less stuff to manage, you'll have to remind yourself of this goal over and over again. Less is more, my friend. When you hold onto items from your past that are no longer serving you, it absolutely affects your mental clarity and stress levels in your daily life. letting go is powerful and it can make you feel lighter and help you breathe easier. Tackle Clutter Once and For AllWhen you are ready to declutter, I'd love for you to start small and pick one junk drawer or a single shelf in your closet. Set a timer for 15 minutes and tell yourself that's as long as you'll need to commit to this process, and you might surprise yourself and be ready to tackle even more after the timer goes off. I love to ask my clients this question: "If you lost this, would you buy it again?" It really makes you think, doesn't it? For more helpful tips, read 4 Organizing Tips to Regain Control of Your Kid’s Bedroom Decluttering can feel daunting, but so can living in a home filled with too much stuff. I'm here for you if you need backup in this process, as decluttering is always the first stage of getting organized with me. I'll help guide you to make decisions about what should stay in your life, and I'll take donations along with me the same day as our session to make your life even easier.
Need help assessing what should stay or go when organizing your home? That's what i do. Reach out, and let's chat. Until next time, Julia Kids can't always verbalize the stress they feel when their bedrooms are cluttered, but many studies show children have difficulty concentrating in rooms with too much visual stimuli. I believe that kids thrive on structure and routine, and it's our job as parents to teach them how to be tidy! Organization is a learned skill that takes practice and plenty of reminders as kids grow. This is a skill that they will appreciate someday, which is what I tell myself about several aspects of motherhood. Step #1: Assess the Space When entering a child's bedroom for the first time, I immediately take into consideration three factors: clothing, toys, and books. Clothing: Is this child old enough to do their own laundry, including putting away all of their clothes when they are clean? If so, is their routine working for them, and do they have the right amount of clothing for their physical space? Toys: Does this child have toys in their room, and if so how are the toys stored? Have they outgrown some of the toys in this space, or is everything still loved? Books: Most kids have books in their bedrooms, but I assess whether there are books stored in a bookshelf or if they are scattered all over the room. Step #2: Sort Items Thoughtfully When I'm working on a child's bedroom project, I always start by pulling everything out. I'll usually start with their clothing, categorizing by type - group all sweatshirts here, all the t-shirts there, etc. With the help of my client, we will select items that are too small and set aside for donation. After that, I'll put the “keepers” back in functional order. I want my littlest clients to easily find something to wear each morning, without stress or tears. Step #3: Add Systems to the Routine One of my favorite tips for fostering daily organization habits in kids? A stair basket. Placing a simple basket at the bottom of your stairs will encourage every family member to place “upstairs” items in the basket, so that each item can be relocated to its proper location every night. Kids can put their library books, pajamas, papers, hair products, or anything else in this basket. Everyone should work together as a team to keep the house tidy, so it shouldn't just be Mom carrying this basket up the stairs each night! Step #4: Set the Example Kids learn by watching their parents. This isn't meant to put pressure on you, but rather inspire you to teach them how to tidy up and why it's important. I find that making organization a priority in small, everyday tasks is the way to go. Avoid the drama in making it a giant “clean up the entire house” session. Baby steps go a long way with children and adults, too. Organizing as a Family
Decluttering and organizing don't have to be a drag, and it can be really fun and empowering to include your kids in the process. The sense of pride little ones feel after accomplishing a task like decluttering a shelf in their bedroom goes a long way. And if it all feels too hard and impossible to accomplish in your limited hours each day, I'm here to help if you need my services. Want to love every room in your home again? We can help! Reach out here, and let's organize your kids' bedrooms this year. Cheers, Julia |
AuthorI'm Julia, Professional Organizer and owner of Move Over Mess. In a different lifetime (2007-2017) I was also a mommy blogger. :) Archives
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